Past Entertainment Articles.

Article for the week of 10/4/06

Really Pathetic Classic Movie Review

Son of Paleface

By, Puns McKenna

A lighthearted western comedy staring Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Roy Rodgers, and of course, Trigger (the smartest horse in the movies).

Son of Paleface is the lighthearted sequel to The Paleface, in which Hope played Painless Peter Potter. In Son of Paleface, hope plays the hapless, idiot son of Painless Potter. Junior Potter has just graduated from Harvard. He comes out west looking to inherit his father's fortune. Only Painless Potter has hidden his fortune. And left so many debts, he makes college grants look like lunch money.

Junior barrels into town in his horseless carriage and wreaks havoc with the local transportation system. Busted wagons and traumatized horses just add to the debt that Junior has to pay. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel. On his first day in town, Junior meets up with his Pop's old partner, Ebenezer Hawkins, played by Paul E. Burns. Old Eb knows that Painless his fortune, and as his partner, he feels he deserves a share. Now Eb isn't all bad, cause he's looking out for Junior too. He helps Junior bluff his way through town until they can find the fortune.

On his first night in town, Junior meets the town's wealthy entertainer, Mike Delroy, played by Jane Russell. Mike saves our hapless hero several times during the movie, and along the way falls in love. He also meets Roy Rogers and his horse, Trigger. Roy and Trigger portray themselves in this movie, as a government agent and his faithful partner. When Ebenezer finds the fortune that Painless Peter Potter hid, Roy, Trigger, Junior, and Mike team up to find Ebenezer and the gold.

Hope, Russell, Rogers, Trigger, Burns, and the supporting cast, combine their talents to make this movie a comedic jaunt through the "Wild West". If you want a good laugh without strings attached, I highly recommend "Son of Paleface". It's one of Bob Hope's best movies next to "The Seven Little Foys". Classic Comedy. Western Hijinx. Award Winning music. This movie has it all. If you like Bob Hope and want a good comedy, watch this movie. Son of Paleface is well worth 95 minutes of your time.

By, Paul Mann (Editor and Weirdo)

Once in a while it’s nice to escape the negativity of the world, especially if you are a baseball fan. Things haven’t been the brightest for the majors in the past couple of years with steroids, overpaid players and in my case a lack of winning by my favorite club. There is a glimmer of hope fans of America’s pastime, hope in a movie that reminds us it’s not about how Barry screwed up this week; it’s about the game itself. A movie titled: Everyone’s Hero.
The tale begins with the introduction of the average life of a kid in the 1930s. (Or at least average for one in New York City). Young Yankee Irving (Jake T. Austin) attempts to fit in with the other kids in his neighborhood, but like all underdogs he can’t quite achieve the status quo. The status quo is being able to play baseball. This all changes when he finds a baseball named Screwy (Rob Reiner). Before you can say Pittsburg Pirates Presently put Pickles in Places, an adventure is born.
The adventure occurs when Babe Ruth’s favorite bat Darlin (Whoopi Goldberg) is stolen by Cubs Pitcher Lefty Maginnis (William H. Macy). Irving is the only one who knows Lefty stole the bat and when no one believes his story, he sets off to right the wrong himself. Thus a whacky comedy begins that takes Irving and his pals along the railroad from New York to Chicago in an attempt to save the World Series for the Yankees. Along the way Irving meets friends through characters such as Marti Brewster (Raven-Symone), Hobo Andy (Richard Kind) and even the Babe himself (Brian Dennehey).
Now as far as baseball films go in general, it’s probably not near the top of the list. After all, it can be hard to live up to greats such as Field of Dreams or The Sandlot. Then again Everyone’s Hero cannot be totally left out of greatness. The film does a decent job showing how baseball is meant to be about the good times, a respectable tribute to the Negro Leagues appears throughout and it reminds us how important being united as fans can be. (Well, as much as Yankee and Non-Yankee fans will tolerate) So, while this movie may not be remembered as one of the most quotable, it still shines well enough. Better than can be said for anything starring The Rock.
After the movie was over I must say I actually had fun watching this. (Of course, I’m the type sitting around watching cartoons every chance I get.) If you are looking for a great family flick to drag the folks to then this will be right in the ball park. If you are looking for gritty baseball action with social satire I’d just staying at home and watching A League of Their Own. After much consideration I’d say a decent score would be appropriate for Everyone’s Hero. I’ll give it three fastball pitches out of five.

This movie review was also featured in Volume 33: Issue 6 of The Chase at Eastern New Mexico University.